What is Image Guided Biopsy & FNAC?
Image Guided Biopsy and Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) are minimally invasive procedures that use real-time imaging ultrasound or CT to guide a needle precisely into a suspicious lesion anywhere in the body. This allows Dr. Shetty to obtain tissue or fluid samples for laboratory analysis without open surgery. The procedure is fast, highly accurate, and delivers a definitive diagnosis that shapes every subsequent treatment decision from whether chemotherapy is needed to what type of surgery, if any, is appropriate.
Who is this procedure for?
This procedure is recommended for patients with an undiagnosed lump, nodule, or lesion detected on ultrasound, CT, or MRI scan. It is also indicated for patients with suspected lymphoma, cancer, infection, or inflammatory conditions where a tissue diagnosis is essential before starting treatment. Lesions in the liver, lung, kidney, lymph nodes, thyroid, breast, retroperitoneum, and soft tissues are all accessible. Both adults and children with accessible lesions are suitable candidates.
How is the procedure performed?
- Pre-procedure imaging (ultrasound or CT) is reviewed to locate the target lesion and plan the safest needle path, avoiding blood vessels and vital structures.
- The patient is positioned comfortably and the skin is cleaned and numbed with local anaesthetic.
- Under continuous real-time imaging guidance, a fine needle or core biopsy needle is advanced precisely into the lesion.
- Multiple small tissue cores or fluid samples are collected each pass taking only a few seconds.
- The needle is withdrawn, a small sterile dressing is applied, and the patient is observed for 30–60 minutes.
- Samples are sent to the pathology laboratory; results are typically available within 48–72 hours.
